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17 Sophomores Honored As 2011 Iota Book Award Recipients

Univ. Communications – The University of Rochester’s Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, along with deans of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, recognized the 2011 Iota Book Award winners during a formal ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Seventeen sophomores, among a class of more than 1,100 students, were recognized for their scholarly achievement, demonstration of humanistic values, and involvement in co-curricular activities during their first year at Rochester. In addition to evaluating academic records, the award committee collected nominations from professors, administrators, and College staff members. The recipients of this year’s award are:

Oranich Aimcharoen (Bangkok, Thailand)

Amanda Chang (Portland, Ore.)

Amelia Engel, Spanish (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Chris Frederickson (Mansfield, Mass.)

Paul Gabrys (Eagle River, Alaska)

Daniel Gorman (Pearl River, N.Y.)

Kelly Guerrieri (Monroesville, Pa.)

Zachariah Hale (Dansville, N.Y.)

Jamie Hospers, International Relations (Rochester, N.Y.)

Peihong Jiang (Beijing, China)

Rory Keating (Waterville, N.Y.)

Deborah Korzun (Clifton Park, N.Y.)

Laura Ann Lyons (Owatonna, Minn.)

Karen Meess, Biomedical Engineering (Hamburg, N.Y.)

Nathaniel Mulberg English (Cherry Hills, N.J.)

Xiao Yang, Mathematics (Hong Kong, China)

Rebecca Young (New Rochelle, N.Y.)

“This is an amazing group of students,” said Edward Brown, president of the Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and assistant professor in the department of biomedical engineering. “Their ability to make major contributions to the campus and the community while achieving the highest level of scholarship is truly inspiring.”

Organized in 1997, the Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa is the University’s oldest honor society. In addition to the Iota Book Award, the organization has an endowed scholarship, established a speakers fund, and supports a visiting scholar program. For more about Phi Beta Kappa visit http://www.rochester.edu/college/pbk/index.html.

Article written by Dan Wang, a sophomore at Rochester, who studies philosophy and economics. Photos courtesy of University Communications Photo Department.